1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
There was a nervy finale at San Siro as Nikola Vlasic pulled one back from the penalty spot after Pavlovic was adjudged to have dragged down Simeone.
—
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
A couple of long range bombs from Braun served as the exclamation point in the final minutes as Minnesota turned a nervy deficit into a commanding lead and eventually gutty win.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
In the United States, the actor played secondary roles, usually weary, nervy authority figures, such as the stern mentor (Good Will Hunting) and the persnickety scientist (Deep Blue Sea).
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
The best track on Trying Times channels the nervy brilliance of 2023’s Playing Robots Into Heaven, which dug into his dance music past without resorting to nostalgia.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nervy
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
A couple of long range bombs from Braun served as the exclamation point in the final minutes as Minnesota turned a nervy deficit into a commanding lead and eventually gutty win.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
In the United States, the actor played secondary roles, usually weary, nervy authority figures, such as the stern mentor (Good Will Hunting) and the persnickety scientist (Deep Blue Sea).
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
The best track on Trying Times channels the nervy brilliance of 2023’s Playing Robots Into Heaven, which dug into his dance music past without resorting to nostalgia.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
-
Policymakers, especially here in Tokyo, would be wise to accept more foreign workers to plug labor gaps, but that’s not a durable answer on its own.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Steinberg believes the fit will work out well football wise and business wise.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Immortalized by Mark Twain, the Mississippi River is a symbol of America’s adventurous spirit.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
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The menu features crowd-pleasing staples like shrimp and grits, hush puppies, and pimento cheese, while more adventurous eaters can try fried alligator.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This project made Cooper nervous for several reasons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
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The players looked worked up at times and the fans are nervous.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Biles wrote a cheeky caption alongside this adorable date-night pic.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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In the still-life composition, a cheeky visual lesson on the collision and convergence of cultures, the jar holds flowers, cactus and edible Mexican treats influenced by Chinese and Filipino flavors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Supported by her friend Nikki, portrayed by Jenny Slate, the FX miniseries, based on a podcast of the same name, celebrates female friendship and sexuality while crafting a poignant and daring narrative about living fully in the face of death.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
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The first films are often freer, more daring and fearless, having an individual voice and to champion those is absolutely essential.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Around that time, Celeste’s family and friends became increasingly worried about her safety and whereabouts, urgently pleading for help from their neighbors, the public and police.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
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Two months into communicating with Niamh, not seeing any money flowing back into her crypto wallets, Holder became worried.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His choreography, recreated from his work on the show, delivers big, bold, classic Broadway dance sequences that feel ripped from another era in the best way.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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This transit favors bold thinking backed by follow-through.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rutina Wesley recurs as Desiree Grant, a no-nonsense entertainment journalist known for her fearless approach and exposing problematic high-profile figures.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
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His fearless explorations provided context that brought relevance, intimacy and urgency to our relationship with music.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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